Hi all, I am in a fairly unique predicament to make my tow pig into a better tow pig.
My tow pig is a 1995 K2500, equipped with a firebreathing TBI 350, 4L80e, 4.10 gearing and 37" tires.
Needless to say its a dog, and the transmission isnt seeing the wheel speed it should because of the tires so overdrive is a dream unfortunately. Towing with this setup is a lesson in patience - I know I need to go down on the tire size but 35s are more expensive than my 37s.
I digress. I happen to have another 1995 K2500 in my possession that was at one time a 6.5td nv4500 setup. It still is, but it doesnt have the 6.5 anymore, turns out they sell quickly when the starter bolts havent broken the block. The truck itself is far beyond saving mainly due to the wiring harness butchery and some underhood fuse panel being half melted. Ive started parting it out. The transmission is about 10 minutes from being on the floor, it is literally being suspended with a ratchet strap right now. I have a good set of pedals, I have the clutch master, clutch slave, transmission, transfer case, hydro line, everything is there.
What are the differences I would likely run into doing this swap? I LS swapped a 94 a couple years ago that was the same 6.5/4500 setup and that truck towed beautifully. I'm a 10 year professional mechanic, I can turn a bolt or two, but I havent done this particular swap before and don't want to piss around with little things like I did on the LS swap. I know its been done before, ideally I would like to have this done in a weekend with a buddy, but it isnt my daily driver so it isnt the end of the world if not.
The things I can think of:
I need-
A 350 flywheel and clutch
Flywheel bolts
Possibly a front and rear driveline (Im assuming there's differences in transmission setup lengths that wont play nice)
The bellhousing should be identical, I would think.
What other piddly things might I need or need to know?
My tow pig is a 1995 K2500, equipped with a firebreathing TBI 350, 4L80e, 4.10 gearing and 37" tires.
Needless to say its a dog, and the transmission isnt seeing the wheel speed it should because of the tires so overdrive is a dream unfortunately. Towing with this setup is a lesson in patience - I know I need to go down on the tire size but 35s are more expensive than my 37s.
I digress. I happen to have another 1995 K2500 in my possession that was at one time a 6.5td nv4500 setup. It still is, but it doesnt have the 6.5 anymore, turns out they sell quickly when the starter bolts havent broken the block. The truck itself is far beyond saving mainly due to the wiring harness butchery and some underhood fuse panel being half melted. Ive started parting it out. The transmission is about 10 minutes from being on the floor, it is literally being suspended with a ratchet strap right now. I have a good set of pedals, I have the clutch master, clutch slave, transmission, transfer case, hydro line, everything is there.
What are the differences I would likely run into doing this swap? I LS swapped a 94 a couple years ago that was the same 6.5/4500 setup and that truck towed beautifully. I'm a 10 year professional mechanic, I can turn a bolt or two, but I havent done this particular swap before and don't want to piss around with little things like I did on the LS swap. I know its been done before, ideally I would like to have this done in a weekend with a buddy, but it isnt my daily driver so it isnt the end of the world if not.
The things I can think of:
I need-
A 350 flywheel and clutch
Flywheel bolts
Possibly a front and rear driveline (Im assuming there's differences in transmission setup lengths that wont play nice)
The bellhousing should be identical, I would think.
What other piddly things might I need or need to know?